Only four regular commuters use the Emirates Cable Car

[34D]

Is there a likelihood of it being dismantled? I can't see what purpose it serves!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Hmmm, if these numbers are correct then it doesnt bode well for the other well publisized, controvercial, unwanted, pointless and undoubtedly slower tourist transport elefant, the Edinburgh trams does it? If a supposed essential new link in London cant do better than this wthen what hope has an indirect and unsuitable (for those who want to sit down or take luggage) tram system to and from the airport got when a bus with wifi, leather high back leather seats and luggage acks takes a streight road in less time?

 

[alwaystouchout]

Is there a likelihood of it being dismantled? I can't see what purpose it serves!

Who actually owns it? Emirates are just the sponsors. If TfL owns it is there a chance it could be sold to a private firm to offset TfL's risk?

Now that it's built I think it would be a shame to dismantle it. The main problem as others have alluded too is that it's been marketed as a desperately needed transport link rather than a standalone tourist attraction like the Eye.

I also think the statistic about it carrying four commuters a week is slightly misleading as according to TfL figures it still carried over 20,000 passengers last week (week ending 23 NOV)

 

[Deerfold]

I also think the statistic about it carrying four commuters a week is slightly misleading as according to TfL figures it still carried over 20,000 passengers last week (week ending 23 NOV)

I hardly think it's misleading - it shows how many regulars are using this vital link as opposed to tourists and occasional users.

It'd be misleading if it was the only figure available but you could similarly argue that the 20k figure is misleading as you may assume that's 2000 people making 10 journeys a week each.

 

[jopsuk]

Hmmm, if these numbers are correct then it doesnt bode well for the other well publisized, controvercial, unwanted, pointless and undoubtedly slower tourist transport elefant, the Edinburgh trams does it? If a supposed essential new link in London cant do better than this wthen what hope has an indirect and unsuitable (for those who want to sit down or take luggage) tram system to and from the airport got when a bus with wifi, leather high back leather seats and luggage acks takes a streight road in less time?

It has absolutely no relevance whatsoever to the Edinburgh tram project in any way, shape or form.

Apart from anything it was delivered complete, on time and on budget.

 

[burneside]

It has absolutely no relevance whatsoever to the Edinburgh tram project in any way, shape or form.

Apart from anything it was delivered complete, on time and on budget.

The cable car was not built on budget at all. The initial estimate was £25m, which then rose to £45m, and ended up costing around £60m. And despite Johnson's promise that no public money would be used, TfL had to raid its piggy bank to the tune of millions to ensure the project got finished.

 

[Robertj21a]

Key problem is that it doesn't really go anywhere useful. It was OK while the Olympics were on, but why would anyone bother otherwise. It's departure point on the northern side is certainly not on any obvious tourist route.

Robert

 

[IanD]

I enjoyed my trip. And would make a return trip too. £3.20 for something like that is cheap anywhere in the UK never mind London! I went on a sunny summer Tuesday but I reckon it would be just as good to go when it's dark and Canary Wharf etc are all lit up.

And it looks like they are trying to develop the Northern end as some sort of worthwhile standalone destination.

If you're remotely interested in using it, I would do so now before they sell it off to Merlin or some other leisure group who then turn it in to the 'London Thames Flight Experience' with pointless vistor centres (aka gift shops) at both ends and hike the prices up to £20.00 (but half that if you buy a packet of cornflakes).

 

[jopsuk]

Latest weekly figures (20,000) are down 10,000 year-on-year.

 

[Blindtraveler]

afraid I disagree that the Edinburgh tram is irrelivant. As already stated, the Borriscar was over budget and although completed on time it shares similarities with the trams in regards to speed of journey, convenience of journey and route, over estimation of demand and vitalitty and universal unpopularitty, despite what TFL would have us believe

if Londoners in that part of town were asked what they wanted, a fiver says noboddy said cablecar, just in the same way that if, when Edinburgh wen against congestion charging they asked us what we wanted instead, I doubt very many would say trams, and if we did, it wouldnt have been on there built route!↲
↲

 

[ert47]

During the London Comic Convention, due to the number of people who attend, the DLR is usually suspended between Canning Town and Beckton with Rail Replacement buses shipping people between the DLR stops.

The queues for the buses are huge, so most people walk to Canning Town instead. The Cable Car is a handy alternative, but the combination of a long queue (on those days) and the price of a single puts most people off.

Can't imagine it being of much use outside of event days

 

[route:oxford]

afraid I disagree that the Edinburgh tram is irrelivant. As already stated, the Borriscar was over budget and although completed on time it shares similarities with the trams in regards to speed of journey, convenience of journey and route, over estimation of demand and vitality and universal unpopularity, despite what TFL would have us believe

I'm rather looking forward to disembarking at Edinburgh Park railway station and boarding a tram to Edinburgh Airport.

Likewise, I'm rather looking forward to boarding a tram at Edinburgh Airport and disembarking at Edinburgh Park.

Last time I arrived at Edinburgh Airport, heading for Stirling it was a full 90 minutes after stepping outside the Airport that I passed within site of the control tower again on the train.

I discovered a long time ago that the moment a project is referred to as a "white elephant" by a protestor - it's a near guaranteed success.

If 10,000 people are paying to make the journey every week, it's taking in £3,000,000 per year. - a 5% return on investment before costs.

Not too bad overall.

 

[tbtc]

Mixed feelings about this report.

I'm not a fan of this cable car, I generally don't like these stand alone gimmicks (that don't integrate with other modes of transport).

But if you want to assess it properly then I'd say that the overall number of passengers is a much fairer way to judge it. Does it matter whether (say) 1% of passengers are regular commuters? Surely what matters is the total amount of fare paying passengers.

I'm sure there are a lot of routes in the UK that we could damn with statistics showing how few daily commuters there are compared to irregular passengers/ tourists - there probably aren't a lot of daily commuters at stations like Rannoch Moor or Sugar Loaf!

Hmmm, if these numbers are correct then it doesnt bode well for the other well publisized, controvercial, unwanted, pointless and undoubtedly slower tourist transport elefant, the Edinburgh trams does it? If a supposed essential new link in London cant do better than this wthen what hope has an indirect and unsuitable (for those who want to sit down or take luggage) tram system to and from the airport got when a bus with wifi, leather high back leather seats and luggage acks takes a streight road in less time?

It has absolutely no relevance whatsoever to the Edinburgh tram project in any way, shape or form

afraid I disagree that the Edinburgh tram is irrelivant. As already stated, the Borriscar was over budget and although completed on time it shares similarities with the trams in regards to speed of journey, convenience of journey and route, over estimation of demand and vitalitty and universal unpopularitty, despite what TFL would have us believe

if Londoners in that part of town were asked what they wanted, a fiver says noboddy said cablecar, just in the same way that if, when Edinburgh wen against congestion charging they asked us what we wanted instead, I doubt very many would say trams, and if we did, it wouldnt have been on there built route!↲
↲

I'm with jopsuk here, really don't think that crowbarring a rant about the Edinburgh tram helps this thread

 

[bicbasher]

Is it £3.20 on oyster or less?

£3.20 on Oyster per journey which is reduced to half price if you travel five times or more per week. This is where I think only four commuters have taken up the offer.

It's also £3.20 single if you show a Travelcard, Freedom Pass or Oyster 60+ at the ticket office.

 

[Blindtraveler]

fare enough you guys win but I disagree. To
Routexford - a bus service should have made that connection posible years ago and for what its worth I agree with you and the same bus should have also served South Gyle also, perhaps even with a stop at some of the hotels befor going back to airport again? No need for a tram for this very important and long overlooked little bit of intigration but anyhow, I digress. Carry on everyone!

 

[Harlesden]

I hope nobody is offended. I just found it amusing.

 

[Clip]

I haven't the foggiest of ideas.

How many other cities have a cable-car like this, and not one where it is required to actually go up hills?

Doesnt the port one in Barcelona go pretty much nowhere? From a hill to the port and thats it?

Im still a fan of it though dont use it as much anymore and as others have said it does do well on exhibition days at the Excel. It was a bit of a stretch to imagine many people using it to actually commute but for 20K people using it still a week that isnt too bad IMO. Its a bit like comparing commuters to Denton every week really isnt it but no one wants that service closed or sold off

Shall we see what the numbers are like in the summer?

 

[edwin_m]

During the London Comic Convention, due to the number of people who attend, the DLR is usually suspended between Canning Town and Beckton ... The Cable Car is a handy alternative

But isn't the cable car also "suspended"?

I'll get me coat.

 

[bb21]

£3.20 for something like that is cheap anywhere in the UK never mind London!

I disagree.

As a tourist attraction, perhaps. As a mode of transport, definitely not, more so if paying the cash fare of £4.30

 

[Daz28]

I disagree.

As a tourist attraction, perhaps. As a mode of transport, definitely not, more so if paying the cash fare of £4.30

Twice the price of a single bus fare and less than a tube fare. Doesn't seem that unreasonable. If paying cash, it is the cheapest way of getting from O2 to ExCel.

If it was included in Travelcards and daily caps there would be no complaints.

 

[bb21]

Twice the price of a single bus fare and less than a tube fare. Doesn't seem that unreasonable. If paying cash, it is the cheapest way of getting from O2 to ExCel.

Not quite. How many people pay cash fares on LU these days?

Why not compare Oyster PAYG fares, in which case this is much more expensive - in fact more than double the LU fare in the relevant zones at off-peak times.

Even if you are comparing the inflated cash fares, it is only 20p cheaper.

If it was included in Travelcards and daily caps there would be no complaints.

Even then it is still way expensive for someone who does not reach the cap.

 

[Deerfold]

Twice the price of a single bus fare and less than a tube fare.

And how far can you travel for that tube fare? You travel 1 km / 0.6 miles on the cable car.

 

[mister-sparky]

Actually include it as a London transport thing, ie include it on Travelcards, Oyster etc, then usage will increase. No brainer really.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

I used to believe that the Emirates Airline was a transport thing, but I am now thinking that it's beginning to start losing all it's fame and glory. As had been mentioned, the majority are tourists and it's quicker with the tube/DLR.

I always enjoy it though, I never go to London without going on it and at £1.60, you can't beat that price for a cracking experience and the views. I intend to go to the Emirates aviation experience at North Greenwich next time I head down, looks interesting.

 

[harry42]

I hope nobody is offended. I just found it amusing.

Little things like that have got to make you laugh!

 

[dvboy]

I tried to use it on 3 November, it was closed because it was windy, I didn't even think it was that windy to be honest, so it must get closed a lot during the off-season.

 

[Tetchytyke]

at £1.60, you can't beat that price for a cracking experience and the views.

I wish it was £1.60.

That said, I went on it the other night. Just about the only person on it, had a car to myself, was really quite interesting. And half the price of a bottle of beer at CentrePoint's Paramount Bar.

 

[bb21]

I wish it was £1.60.

Child fare, not for you granted unless you are a frequent traveller.

 

[jon0844]

As I've not been on it at all, I guess I don't count as a frequent traveller.

But two trips should qualify you...!

 

[Clip]

Little things like that have got to make you laugh!

Only if you can explain the other fine messes he has gotten London into. Otherwise its meaningless drivel